Circus Oz at the Welsh Millenium Centre
Circus Oz Review
published: 8th September 2008
WORDS: Luke Todd (The Sprout Youth Editorial Group)
"Circus Oz arrived in Cardiff in style to open the Wales Millennium Centre’s autumn season, having spent the previous month entertaining the crowds at the Edinburgh Festival. The company, who are currently celebrating their 30th Birthday, entertained the packed auditorium with their show. The opening act involved numerous stunts on an enormous pole in the centre of the stage, which indicated that this was quite unlike any other show that had hit Cardiff before. With a live band playing a curious mix of circus and gypsy music, the troupe blended the family-friendly style of local company No Fit State Circus with an altogether more dangerous element that was further explored later in the second-half. The show was mainly driven by its strong circus sequences; however they did manage to incorporate some current politics in their introduction through several references to both the ‘falling pound’ and prime minister. The company consisted of just 11 members, including their four-piece band. The climax of the first half was the giant human kangaroos who had been used in much of the promotion ahead of the show. It was difficult to tell whether they were being commanded by the ring-leader or whether in fact (as it appeared later in the show) they were in control of him. This sequence was a good reminder of the troupe’s move away from more traditional (often animal-driven) circus. Unfortunately due to the nature of the stage some parts were difficult to see, particularly when the action dominated one side. The audience was encouraged to actively respond to the acts and at times the performers would run around the audience doing acrobatics. During the second half the pace of the show did not slip with an act centered upon Frankenstein’s monster. The highlight of the show was the controversial contortionist, when a lady remained in a locked glass box filled with water for over thirty seconds. The show aimed to amaze and entertain its audience. One of my favourite acts was the clown who juggled a range of items throughout, ranging from hats to ping-pong balls with his mouth. It is a great show, well-worth going to see and unlike anything I’ve ever seen before."